Brianna on beauty and hope

South Africa is an environment that is incomparable to any other place I’ve visited. As much as I love Connecticut for all of its beauty and imperfections, South Africa is a place that stands on its own. To begin, the scenery here is astounding. I wouldn’t even be able to describe it in this blog accurately; therefore personally seeing it yourself would be the only successful solution.

As far as visually, your eyes are always pleased here.  Seeing mountains from almost any ground is something that I know I will miss dearly. Whether it’s seeing a mountain and all its detail or seeing it far in the distance gray and faded, they are indeed a constant part of the daily life here in South Africa.

I have noticed that the waves here, each carry a rhythm of their own. This weekend, as we drove past a beach, I realized that all of the waves were in sync with one another. It was almost like music for the eyes. I watched the form of each wave follow the next and rise upon the shore so softly and elegantly. From watching this, I felt so relaxed and all I wanted to do was stare at the ocean. Oceans are so peaceful and I think that they provide an opportunity for us all too just think and wonder. For me, they resemble freedom from our everyday troubles. While days might get hectic or overwhelming, the ocean really erases these problems and creates an environment of contemplation and inspiration. I will miss feelings like this, in which I feel at ease and so liberated at the same time.

Even though South Africa carries a beauty of its own, this beauty is not limited in form. I see beauty in the hope that is always surrounding me. Personally, since I been here I feel very hopeful in my own life and future. But, I also see the hope for this country, in that through combined efforts, anything is truly possible. Here in South Africa, hope might not be seen easily but is always felt and I feel so much hope here in South Africa and for the rest of the world.